One or both eyes may be affected by uveitis. The symptoms can develop suddenly or gradually over a few days.

People with long-term uveitis tend to have more visual symptoms and their eyes may look normal. Patients with sudden onset uveitis usually have more pain and tenderness.

When to seek medical advice

Contact your GP as soon as possible if you have persistent eye pain or you notice an unusual change in your vision, particularly if you've had previous episodes of uveitis. The sooner uveitis is treated, the more successful treatment is likely to be.

Your GP may refer you to an ophthalmologist, who is a specialist in eye conditions. An ophthalmologist will examine your eye in more detail with a microscope and light (a slit-lamp), and may suggest further tests if uveitis is diagnosed.

This may include scans of your eyes, X-rays and blood tests. Knowing the cause of your uveitis will help determine the treatment needed.

Why does uveitis happen?

There are a wide range of potential causes for uveitis, although a specific cause is not always identified.

Many cases are thought to be the result of a problem with the immune system (the body's defence against illness and infection). For unknown reasons, the immune system can become overactive in the eye.

Less commonly, uveitis can be caused by an infection or injury to the eye, and it can also happen after eye surgery.

Types of uveitis

There are different types of uveitis, depending on which part of the eye is affected:

anterior uveitis – inflammation of the iris (iritis) or inflammation of the iris and the ciliary body (iridocyclitis); this is the most common type of uveitis, accounting for about three out of four cases, tends to come on quickly, and can be recurrent, causing pain and redness

intermediate uveitis – inflammation of the area behind the ciliary body and the vitreous jelly; this can cause floaters and blurred vision

posterior uveitis – inflammation at the back of the eye, the choroid and the retina; this can cause problems with vision

In some cases, uveitis can affect the front and back of the eye. This is known as panuveitis.

How is uveitis treated?

The main treatment of uveitis is steroid medication (corticosteroids), which can reduce inflammation inside the eye.

The type of steroid medication used depends on the type of uveitis you have. Eye drops are often used for uveitis affecting the front of the eye, whereas injections, tablets and capsules are more often used to treat uveitis affecting the middle and back of the eye.

In some cases, additional treatment may be needed. This might be eye drops to relieve pain, a type of medicine called an immunosuppressant, and even surgery.

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Comments

The 3 comments about ‘Uveitis’ posted are personal views. Any information they give has not been checked and may not be accurate.

ButterCup89 said on 22 April 2014

'Simple, Uncomplicated anterior uveitis'? Seriously?! I sympathise entirely with any one with ANY type of uveitis - you cannot describe AU like this or make out it is easily treated and not harmful. I am HLA B27+ I have had persistent, sight threatening and damaging problems associated with AU. Not to mention the associated conditions that go with HLA B27+ iritis that people suffer on top of this. My struggle with AU has been long and troublesome and it is still nowhere near being under control. Not looking for any pity, just make a point. Devastating as posterior and intermediate uveitis are (I have eye damage from posterior inflammation, so I have a small amount of exp) AU can be extremely sight damaging too! Esp if your inflammation is recurrent and severe. Please don't 'rubbish' the disease like that. It is very serious and damaging. Granted some people have mild, easily treatable flares, but that does not represent the disease as a whole.

Samphiremm said on 23 October 2011

Fine if you have simple, uncomplicated anterior uveitis.Those diagnosed with intermediate and posterior uveitis should be given a direct link, on this page, to futher information about their condition, how their sight is lost and treatment beyond steroid. At the very least, they should be warned that they are at increased loss of vision if they are not under the care of a trained uveitis specialist who works with a rheumatologist - one comfortable with the prescription and management of immunosuppressants for uveitis. Delay in referral to a specialist costs sight which need not have been lost.

Samphiremm said on 23 October 2011

Fine if you have simple, uncomplicated anterior uveitis.Those diagnosed with intermediate and posterior uveitis should be given a direct link, on this page, to futher information about their condition, how their sight is lost and treatment beyond steroid. At the very least, they should be warned that they are at increased loss of vision if they are not under the care of a trained uveitis specialist who works with a rheumatologist - one comfortable with the prescription and management of immunosuppressants for uveitis. Delay in referral to a specialist costs sight which need not have been lost.